Key Points
- 38-year-old Yaqoob Zafar pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to motorcyclist Christabel Riggs through careless driving.
- The incident is connected to a crash that occurred on the A40 near Sennybridge on February 20, 2026.
- The man appeared before Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Four charges have been brought against him.
- The first charge states that his Citroen Relay van was overloaded by 370kg above its maximum permitted laden weight.
- The maximum permitted laden weight of Mr Zafar’s vehicle is 3,500kg.
- Mr Zafar is also charged with driving without a licence and without insurance.
- His address is Dyke Street, Twynyrodyn, Merthyr Tydfil.
- A trial will start on August 23, 2027.
Wales Crime (Wales Times) October 13, 2026 — A man has denied careless driving after a collision on the A40 near Sennybridge left a motorcyclist seriously injured.
Yaqoob Zafar, 38, appeared at uk/local/cardiff/">Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, October 12, in connection with the crash involving his Citroen Relay van and another vehicle on February 20 this year. As reported by the County Times, Mr Zafar denies causing serious injury to Christabel Riggs by careless driving.
The charge follows a collision on the A40 near Sennybridge, in Powys, in which Ms Riggs was said to have been badly injured. The court hearing did not establish guilt or liability; Mr Zafar has entered not guilty pleas and the allegations will now be considered at trial.
Why Is An Overweight Van Allegation Part Of The Case?
Mr Zafar faces four charges altogether. Alongside the careless driving allegation, he denies using a vehicle on a road when its maximum permitted laden weight was exceeded.
According to the charge reported by the County Times, the Citroen Relay van’s maximum permitted laden weight was 3,500kg. The prosecution alleges that this limit was exceeded by 370kg.
The overweight allegation is separate from the careless driving charge. Mr Zafar has denied both allegations, and no findings have been made against him in relation to either matter.
What Other Charges Does He Face?
Mr Zafar also denies driving without a licence and driving without insurance. These allegations form part of the four charges he now faces.
The County Times reported that Mr Zafar, of Dyke Street, Twynyrodyn, Merthyr Tydfil, will face trial. The proceedings remain active, and the allegations have not been proven.
When Will The A40 Crash Trial Take Place?
The trial is scheduled to begin on August 23 next year. The date was reported following Mr Zafar’s appearance at Cardiff Crown Court on October 12.
Until the trial concludes, the court has not determined whether Mr Zafar is responsible for the collision, whether the van was overweight, or whether the licensing and insurance allegations are proven.
Background Of The Development
The case concerns an alleged collision on the A40 near Sennybridge on February 20, 2026. The A40 is a major road route through mid-Wales, and Sennybridge lies within Powys.
Mr Zafar’s appearance at Cardiff Crown Court came after he was charged with four offences: causing serious injury by careless driving; using a vehicle when its maximum permitted laden weight was exceeded; driving without a licence; and driving without insurance. He denied all four charges.
The alleged weight breach relates specifically to the van’s permitted laden weight of 3,500kg, with the charge stating an alleged excess of 370kg. The case will proceed to a trial listed for August 23, 2027.
How Could This Affect Road Users And Local Communities?
For motorcyclists and other road users who travel through Powys, the case may renew attention on safety around larger vans and commercial vehicles on rural A-roads. The allegations include both driver conduct and vehicle weight, although the court has yet to make any determination.
For local residents and commuters using the A40 near Sennybridge, the outcome of the trial could be relevant to ongoing discussion about road safety, vehicle compliance and enforcement. Any practical impact will depend on the court’s findings and any subsequent action by authorities.
For van operators and drivers, the case highlights that alleged breaches of maximum permitted laden weight can be dealt with as a separate criminal charge. The legal position in this case remains unresolved, and Mr Zafar is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
